He has lost elections, changed political parties, made a remarkable comeback and defeated an established political structure. Now, Ahmed Aliyu Wadada is seeking to become the next Governor of Nasarawa State.
Wadada’s political journey spans more than two decades and includes the House of Representatives, the Senate, two major electoral setbacks, a dramatic 2023 comeback and a return to the APC.
Before politics, he worked with UBA, Benue Cement Company, Kano Tobacco Distribution Company and Vision Group. In 2003, he was elected to the House of Representatives representing Keffi/Karu/Kokona Federal Constituency on the PDP platform. He served two terms and chaired committees including Capital Market and Institutions and Information and National Orientation.
From Setbacks to a Comeback
Wadada’s career has also been marked by defeat.
In 2015, he lost the Nasarawa West Senate election to Abdullahi Adamu. Four years later, he finished second to Abdullahi Sule in the 2019 APC governorship primary.
Then came 2023.
After leaving the APC following a dispute over its senatorial primary, Wadada joined the SDP and contested the Nasarawa West Senate election.
He won with 96,488 votes, defeating APC’s Shehu Tukur, who scored 47,717 votes, and PDP’s Musa Galadima, who polled 46,820.
The victory was particularly significant because Nasarawa West was the political base of Abdullahi Adamu, who was then National Chairman of the APC.
Life in the Senate
Wadada returned to the National Assembly as a senator and became Chairman of the Senate Public Accounts Committee, one of the legislature’s key oversight committees.
The committee examined financial and audit issues involving major government institutions, including the FIRS, CBN, Customs and NNPCL.
One of the biggest stories involved approximately ₦210 trillion in unresolved accounting entries in NNPCL’s financial statements. Wadada stressed that the figure represented issues requiring explanation and reconciliation, rather than money that had been established as missing or stolen.
Back to the APC
In September 2025, Wadada returned to the APC.
He subsequently declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election.
In May 2026, he won the APC governorship primary with 195,285 votes, defeating six other aspirants and securing the party’s ticket.
The result created an interesting political full circle. Wadada had lost the 2019 APC governorship primary to Abdullahi Sule. In 2026, Sule was governor and supported Wadada’s emergence as the party’s candidate.
His running mate is Emmanuel Michael Ombugadu.
Wadada’s campaign is built around the HEARTS Agenda, which focuses on human capital development, economic enhancement, agriculture, rural transformation, technology and investment, and security.
Beyond the Politics
There is another side to Wadada that doesn’t always appear in political headlines.
He is known for his quick wit, strong oratory and colourful personality. And if there is music playing, Wadada is not exactly the politician who will remain seated. His energetic, distinctly swaggalicious dance moves have become part of his public persona.
He is also a polo enthusiast and has been associated with the Keffi Polo Tournament, which attracts players, business figures and political dignitaries to the town.
Wadada at a Glance
Party: APC
Current position: Senator, Nasarawa West
2027 ambition: Governor of Nasarawa State
House of Representatives: 2003–2011
2023 Senate votes: 96,488
2026 APC primary votes: 195,285
Running mate: Emmanuel Michael Ombugadu
Campaign framework: HEARTS Agenda
The Road to 2027
Wadada’s political career has rarely followed a straight line.
He has moved from business to the House of Representatives, from the House to the Senate, from APC to SDP and back to APC. He has experienced electoral defeats and major victories, including the 2023 Senate upset that returned him to the National Assembly.
His supporters point to his experience across business, the House and the Senate, his political network and his record of electoral comebacks.
His critics have focused on his movement between political parties and the alliances that have shaped his career.
Now, he is asking Nasarawa voters to take the next step with him, from the National Assembly to Government House.
Ahmed Aliyu Wadada is no stranger to political comebacks. The 2027 election will be the next chapter.
This is Know Your Candidate, a Northern Hibiscus series profiling the people seeking public office, their backgrounds, political journeys, records and stated plans.
